SOUTH BOSTON, VA. — South Boston Speedway will host the 2006 Drive for Diversity Motorsports Testing & Evaluation Combine this month. The event is slated for Oct. 17-18.

Combine evaluation will be held both days from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and interviews will be available both days from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for media in attendance.

Drive for Diversity candidates will compete for an opportunity to race in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series with established NASCAR team owners. This past season at the four-tenths mile asphalt oval in South Boston, Terri Williams of Emporia, Va. competed throughout the season in a Drive for Diversity machine owned by Hermie Sadler.

Nineteen ethic and gender minority drivers will earn the chance to participate in the Drive for Diversity program throughout the 2006 season. Those 19 drivers will be selected from a pool of over 300 applicants.

"We are pleased to host the Drive for Diversity event here at South Boston Speedway," General Manager Cathy Rice said. "Drive for Diversity is a wonderful program that has helped get more and more people involved in the sport of racing."

Drivers will be evaluated on-track through an open test session in Late Model Stock Cars. There will also be off-track exercises including interview sessions to help determine the candidates; overall ability and motorsports awareness.

The Drive for Diversity Combine is not open to the public, however members of the media are welcome to attend.

Media members will have opportunities both days to meet with all 19 drivers, NASCAR team owners and Drive for Diversity officials. Journalists will have access to a workroom and interview area with wireless internet capabilities at the speedway.